‘Blondie’ murder trial…
By George Barclay
POLICE Sergeant Eon Jackson, who previously testified as a ballistics expert in several criminal cases, had his credentials challenged by Justice William Ramlal at the Demerara Assizes yesterday.

Blondie

Jackson had produced three certificates of competency, from United States (U.S.) and Barbados institutions, to satisfy the judge of his expertise.

But Justice Ramlal, presiding at the murder trial of Ashanti Schultz alias ‘Blondie’ observed that the documents only attested to the witness having successfully attended courses but made no mention of his participating in examination exercises that would qualify him as an expert.

Consequently, the judge requested Jackson to explain what is entailed in identification of firearms.

The policeman said the calibre of the firearms have to be identified, as well as the number of ‘lands’ and ‘grooves’, direction of twists and the trade name marking on them.

“It also includes the identification of ammunition and the components to determine whether a bullet or casing was discharged from a special weapon,” Jackson added.

One of the three certificates was awarded to Jackson by a Barbadian institution while the other two were from Iowa in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Justice International Criminal Investigation Training Assistance Programme had certified Jackson for his successful completion of a three-month internship in firearms identification.

PRODUCED
That certification was one of the three Jackson produced at the request of the judge.

Asked why the documentation did not state that Jackson had satisfied examiners that he was successful, Jackson said it indicates that the holder had successfully completed certain examinations.

According to him, had the trainee failed the test, the certificate would not have mentioned anything about a successful completion of internship but merely that the person had attended the course.

Jackson will be further questioned by the judge today before the Court rules on his status.

Schultz is indicted for the unlawful killing of Kenrick Nero on September 16, 2007, in the vicinity of the New Court Yard, on Main Street, Georgetown.

Among the witnesses who have evidence yesterday was Denise Ali, 40, widow of the dead Nero.

She said she was one of the persons who identified his body to Government Pathologist Dr. V. Bridgmohan and the Police prior to the post mortem examination.

The case for the Prosecution is being conducted by State Counsel Ganesh Hira, opposite Defence Counsel Nigel Hughes and Mark Waldron.